Aboitiz circular economy initiative gives new life to e-waste and funds social change

Aboitiz circular economy initiative gives new life to e-waste and funds social change | Photo: Clark Gu

In February 2026, the Aboitiz Foundation and Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) advanced a pioneering circular economy model that redefines how corporations manage end-of-life technology. Through a strategic collaboration with Humble Sustainability, the initiative is transforming obsolete IT equipment into both environmental and social capital.

The process begins with large-scale collection across AEV’s operations. More than 1,000 retired devices, including laptops, servers, and printers, have already been diverted from potential landfill disposal. Each item is evaluated for a second life: functional equipment is refurbished, resold, or donated, while only non-viable materials undergo specialist recycling.

Crucially, 50% of all proceeds from resale are channelled directly into the social programs of the Aboitiz Foundation. In this way, technological waste funds education, community development, and sustainability initiatives, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of positive impact.

The global 22 percent challenge

The project responds to a critical global issue. According to the Global E-waste Monitor, electronic waste is now growing five times faster than the rate of documented recycling. In 2022, approximately 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced, yet only 22.3% was formally processed. Without significant intervention, that figure could fall to 20% by 2030, as consumption accelerates and devices age more rapidly.

Initiatives such as AEV’s demonstrate how structured corporate responsibility can address this widening gap, combining environmental stewardship with economic viability.

Scaling across the Aboitiz group

Originally launched within AEV, the model has now expanded to other subsidiaries. In early 2026, Aboitiz Construction joined the programme, applying the same approach to its own obsolete assets. The move supports the group’s broader zero waste to landfill objective, signalling an integrated sustainability strategy across business units.

A model aligned with sustainable goals

The initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production. By embedding resource recovery into business operations, the Aboitiz Group illustrates how companies can reduce environmental footprints while creating measurable social value.

This evolving partnership between Aboitiz Foundation, AEV, and Humble Sustainability highlights a growing recognition that responsible business is not only about compliance but about contribution. For readers interested in similar global models of corporate circularity, resources such as the Global E-waste Monitor and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy Network offer further insight into how innovation and responsibility can intersect for long-term sustainability.